The recent extension of Alonso’s Aston Martin contract means he will continue racing at least until the end of the 2026 F1 campaign, when he will be 45 years old.
This would make him the oldest F1 driver to compete since Graham Hill in 1975.
Alonso already holds the record for the most Grand Prix races ever contested and is set to reach an unprecedented 400 GPs at the 2024 Qatar round.
McLaren driver Norris was asked about Alonso’s longevity: it’s been 23 years since the Spaniard made his F1 debut, next year will be the 20th anniversary of his first world championship, while his most recent title world came for Toyota during the 2018-2019 World Endurance. Championship – at last weekend’s Chinese GP.
While also answering a question about whether he would like to run that long, Norris replied: “I better be careful what I say. I think it takes a lot of dedication – I don’t think anyone thinks Fernando lacks that in any way.
“He shows it with everything he does in life. Whether on the track or off the track, in different sports or otherwise.
“So it depends on what you want to do. Everyone is different. It’s rare to see someone commit to a sport for so long.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 team
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“He’s probably one of the oldest guys competing at the top of any sport in the world and I think to be able to do that at the level that he’s reached and continues to do, you’ll probably never see him again. in Formula 1. And if you do, it’s going to be extremely rare.
“[I have] lots of respect for this sort of thing. I don’t know if I’ll want to do it in 20 years, if I’m still strong.
“But I like where I am now and if I continue to do such a thing, yes, we will see.”
Speaking alongside Norris, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon were also unsure about the ideal length of their stay in F1.
Ocon said Alonso’s record was “a dream career for any athlete or racing driver” and added: “I don’t know if I would still be racing at his age but, really, his dedication is something that is an example for all of us. “.
Leclerc said it was “difficult to still imagine myself in 15 or 18 years.” [racing] in F1″, but also revealed that he was considering a new specific challenge at the end of his career anyway.
“I would love to race for many more years,” he added. “I would love to experience other things like Le Mans – it’s definitely somewhere I can see myself racing one day.
“I mean, as long as I’m fully motivated, I’ll run. And I love what I do, so for now this is what I want to do for as long as possible.
Watch: Adrian Newey set to leave Red Bull
